Community Corner

Kirkland Cadet Takes to Skies During Civil Air Patrol Orientation Flights

Sixteen cadets from Eastside cities flew out of Renton Airport in perfect weather last weekend for CAP orientation training, including Jacob Brookbank of Kirkland.

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Twenty-one Civil Air Patrol cadets -- including 16 from Eastside cities - took to the skies in perfect weather last weekend in six CAP planes flying out of Renton Airport for orientation training.

Michael B. Holliday of Kirkland, public affairs officer for the Redmond-based Overlake Composite Squadron, said the six planes used are operated by various CAP squadrons and based at Bellingham, Olympia, Vancouver, Auburn, Boeing Field and Renton.

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The local CAP members taking flight were:

  • JohnMark Marmkovich, Eric Hyde, Noah Pell, Aliaksander Yaltukhouski and Andrew Taylor of Woodinville.
  • Gabe Miles and Benjamin Mitchell of Redmond.
  • William Clawson and Steve Luick from Sammamish.
  • Kye Johnson and Ethan Huber of Bothell.
  • Mike Yoo of Issaquah.
  • Jacob Brookbank of Kirkland.
  • Adrienne Wang of Medina.
  • Kiana Ward of Duvall.
  • Charles Eckhardt of Snoqualmie.

Eleven Senior Members supported the operation throughout the day, flying the aircraft, coordinating flight releases, supervising the cadets, providing ground training and giving the required safety briefings.

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The aircraft flew to a variety of destinations, including Arlington, Paine Field in Everett, Puyallup, Port Townsend, Snoqualmie Falls, and Bremerton.

Bradley Donaldson, owner of Rainier Flight Service provided an operations base, rest and flight planning facilities, and simulator experience for the cadets in a G1000 glass cockpit trainer. Capt. Randy Smith of the Bellingham Composite Squadron, a Wing Orientation Flight Coordinator, was instrumental in providing the six aircraft and pilots.

Overalke CAP commander Major Bill Gibbs coordinated the day's activities, organizing cadets into flight slots.

The U.S. Air Force provides funding for every Civil Air Patrol cadet to experience five powered and five glider orientation flights before their 18th birthday.

To learn more about the Civil Air Patrol in Washington, see the CAP Washington Wing website.


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